Windmill



3 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. S. ADAMS. Windmill.

(Model.)

No. 233,178. Patented Oct. 12, |880.

l 5m KW (Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. S. ADAMS.

Windmill.

No. 233,178. Paten'ted Oct. 12,1880.

:M le gli? N4 PETERS. PHDTa-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D a.

(Model.) 3 Sheets--Sheet 3^. J S. A'D A M S.

Windmill.

`No; 233.178. Patented Oct. 12,1880.

N PE-TERS. PMDTO-LITMOGRAPHER. wASrHINGTON, D C.

UNTTED STATES PATENT @Erica JOHN S. ADAMS, (,)F ELGIN, ILLINOIS.

'WINDMILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,178, dated October 12, 1880.

Application filed April 5, 1880. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JNO. S. ADAMS, of Elgin, in the county of' Kane and State ot' Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Windmills and l do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this speciication, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of my mill with the wheel thrown into the wind. Fig. 2 is a like view of the same with said wheel thrown out of the wind. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the upper side of said mill, the full lines showing the relative positions of parts when the wheel is thrown into the wind and the dotted lines the positions of parts when said wheel is thrown out of the wind. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the bearings of the windwheel and vertical shaft and the gearing e1nployed for communicating motion from the former to the latter. Fig. 5 is a vertical section ot' the same upon a line passing through the longitudinal centers of the bearings. Fig. Gis a side elevation of the turn-table. Fig. 7 is a vertical central section of the same. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the couplings employed for connecting together the rim-sections. Fig. 9 is a central longitudinal section ot the same. Fig. l0 is a perspective View of one of the couplings used for connecting together the inner rim and spokes. Figs. 1l and l2 are respectively a perspective View anda longitudinal section of one of the connections employed for securing together the radial arms and outer rim. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of one of the clips employed for connecting the sails with the rims, and Fig. 14 is a central longitudinalsectionof the same when applied to use.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

The design of my invention is to increase the strength of a windmill and to render practically automatic its operation under variations in the velocity of the wind to which end it consists, principally, in the construction of the wind-wheel frame and the combination of the parts composing the same, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

It consists, further, in the means employed for connecting together the rim-sections and spokes of the wheel-frame, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter shown.

It consists, further, in the means employed for connecting together the rim-sections and sails, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

lt consists, further, in the means employed for lubricating the bearing of the windmill, substantially as hereinafter specified.

[t consists, further,in the construction of the bearing of the gear of the vertical shaft and the means employed for lubricating the same, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter shown.

It consists, further, iu the means employed for automatically regulating the velocity ot' the wind-wheel with relation to the force of the wind, substantially as hereinafter set forth.

It consists, further, in the means employed for throwing thewvindwheel into or out ofthe wind, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter shown and described.

It consists, further, in the construction ot' the turn-table, substantially as and for the Vpurpose hereinafter specified.

In the annexed drawings, A represents a platform, which is preferably supported upon three rods or tubes, B, which are suitably attached to its lower side, and from thence eX- tend downward and outward, and have their lower ends properly anchored.

From the platform A a tube, C, extends upward to a suitable height, and at its upper end has a peripheral enlargement, c, within the upper end ot' which is formed an annular groove, c', while within the outer surface of said enlargement is provided acircumferential groove, c2, as shown in Fig. 7.

Fitted loosely within the tube or standard O is a tube, D, which extends from the lower end of the same upward to a height which is governed by the dimensions of the windmill, and at a point corresponding to the upper end of said standard has secured a collar, d, that embraces the upper end and outer side ot' the enlargements c, and is provided with a tongue, df, which projects downward into the groove c'. Two set-screws, cl2, pass radially inward through the sides of said collar, and

IOO

have their inner ends contained within the peripheral groove e2 ot` said enlargement. in Which position said screws prevent vertical movement ot' said collar without interference with its freedom ot' rotary movement.

The construction described furnishes a turntable bearingt'or and upon which the side pressure of the windmill is supported and freedom of rotary motion ot' the saine secured.

Secured to or upon the npperend ofthe tube D is a casting. li, which in side elevation has the form Ofa Greek cross, as shown in Fig. 4. VVthin the end ot' one oi' the horizontal arms of said part ll is secured one end of a pin, F, which in shape corresponds to the shape ot' an ordinary axle-arm, and upon its outer end is provided with a screw-cap, G.

Upon the pin oi bearing F is titted a sleeve or box, Il, which at its inner end is provided with a bevel-gear, l, that preferably t'ornis part ot` said box. As said box forms the hub or center of my wind-wheel, the following-described means are provided for securing a proper lubrication ot' the same:

Within the uppei sideot'the arm F istormed a longitudinal groove, f', which extends nearly to each end, and at its ends connects with two vertical openings,j", that pass` downward to and connect with an axial opening,f2, which passes from the outer end otl said arm or bearing nearly to the inner end ot' the saine. An opening,f, extends t'roin the axial openingj?, at the longitudinal center ot the arm F, doenward to the lower side ot' said arm, where it opens into a chamber` h, which is t'ormed by recessingr out the hub li. An oilcup, K, passilig radially through said hub, with its inner end in communication with said chamber h and its outer end covered h v a cap, k, and a screwplug,j". tilted into the outer end ot' the axial openingr f2, completes the lubricating constrnctioii, the operation ot' which is as t'ollows, viz: The groovefis now tilled with lamp. wick, or other like tibrous absorbent material, a quantity ot' oil poured into and through the cup K until the chamber h is filled, when thc cap k is screwed on. lt', now, the hub Il is caused to rotate, the cup K receives a quantity of oil each time itpasses downward, which oil is discharged upon the wicking as said cup passes over thc saine. A portion ot' the oil discharged upon the wicking is transferred directly to the bearingsurtaces, and another portion passes through the openingsfl into the central cavity, fi, from whence it escapes through the opening f into the chamber h. such circulation being constant, and each portion of the bearings thoroughly lubricated.

From the hub II, at the front side ot' the gear I, a number ot' hollow tiihiilar arms or spokes L-preferabl y eight-extend radially outward from equidistant points, and are secured in relative positions by means of U-shaped straps latter, mits l', by which said straps may be caused to draw said arm firmly against the front face of said gear.

It' desired, the arms L may be secured in place b v threading extcriorly their inner ends and screwing the same into threaded holes in the linb Il. From the outer end ot' the hub H a second series of arms, L', extend radially otitward and rearward, and have their outer ends in close proximity to thc outer ends of the arms L.

The outer ends ot' the radial arms L and L are connected together circumterentially by means ot' a tubular rim, M, which has a circular t'oi'in, and is composed of sections which correspond in number to the number of said spokes and in length to the distance between the ends ofthe same.

The sections ot the rim M and the radial arms L and Ll are secured together by means ot' connections N, which have the forni shown in Figs. ll and l2, and are each provided with two radial converging threaded openings, u, for the reception ot' the threaded outer ends of said arms. and a cross-opening, n', for the reception ot one ot' said rim sections. A setscrew, a", passing radially inward through the outer end ot' said connection, mpinges upon said rim section M and confines thc latter ti'rmly in place.

The rim-sections are connected together bctwecn the arms L by means of clamps U, which are composed ot' t wo plates that are constructed to embrace one end each of two sections, and a bolt, o, which passes through the centers of said plates between said section ends, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. These clamps are easily applied in or removed from position, aml when in place firmly connect together the rim-sections and render the saine practically continuous.

Midway between the outer rim, M, and thc hub H is asecoiid rim, M,Which, like that before named, is constructed in sections from tubing, and has the ends ot' its sections connected together by clamps O. As said inner section is placed against the outer sides ot' the radial arms L, a different form of coupling is required from that employed in connecting said outer rim and spokes.

The coupling N has the form of two short tubes cast together, one of which receives the spoke or arm L and the other one of the curved sections M. Aset-screw, n', passing laterally inward from the rear side of said coupling, im pin ges upon said arm L and insures the relative positions ot' parts.

The rims M serve as supports fora series of vanes or sails, 1, each ot' which latter is connected to both ot' the former by means of two clips, Q, (seen in Fig. 11,) which clips consist of a thimble that embraces the rim and secured thereon by a set-screw, q, and a plate that extends to the sail and is secured upon l, one ot' which passes over each arm and l thesailby meansof a screw,q', passing through through said gear, and has upon its threaded ends, that project through the rear side of the said parts, as shown in Fig. 12.

Bythe use of the clips described the sails may ico IIO

be securely attached at any desired angle with relation to the plane of the wheel, and when in place olfer but slight opposition to the passage of air between said sails.

The motion of the wind-wheel is communicated through the gear-wheel I to a similar gear-wheel, R, which is secured upon the upper end of a shaft, S, that is journaled within and extends downward through the casting E and tubes C and D. The weight of the shaft S is supported by the gear-wheel R, which latter, as seen in Fig. 5, is provided upon its lower face, near its center, with a downwardprojecting annular flange, r, and rests upon a cap, .l, that has a groove, t, which corresponds to and receives said flange, the upper face of said cap and the lower face of said gear furnishing the necessary bearing for the latter and said shaft, while said groove t holds oil for lubricating said bearing, which oil is conveyed to the bearing parts by means of said llange r. Oil for said bearing may be supplied through an opening provided in and through said gear and communicating with said groove.

In order that the shaft S may be prevented from vertical displacement, a collar, s, is formed upon said shaft just below the cap T, and bears against the lower side ot' t-he latter, being contained within a recess, c, that is provided in the casing E. Hinged to or upon the rear end of the casing E is a. tail-vane, U, which consists of a horizontal bar, u, which decreases regularly in thickness from its front to its rear end, a thin metal or wooden plate, u', placed edgewise and centrally within said bar, and a rod or rods, u2, extending from near thelongitudinal center of said bar forward and upward to a rectangular open frame, a3, which forms the front end or hinged portion of said vane.

The vane U is hinged upon the casting E, so as to swing horizontally for the purpose ot' varying the position of the windmill with relation to the direction ot the wind, such inovement being limited to a little more than onefourth of a revolution by means of two rods, e and e2, the ijrst of which extends in a line with the ,arm F rearward from said casting, and then laterally toward a buffer, a4, which is attached to the frame a3, while said rod e2 extends from the opposite side ot' said casting laterally outward, and thence rearward, and engages with said buffer a4 whenever said vane has reached the limit of its motion in such direction.

As thus connected with the wind-wheel, it will be seen that, if the vane U is turned to one side out of line with the course of the wind, the force of the latter will bring said vane into line again and cause the face of said wind-wheel to be moved from a position having a right angle to the course of the wind toward or to a position in a line with such course.

In order that the movement described may be automatically produced by the varying force of the wind, so as to cause the windwheel to maintain a uniform speed, the following-described mechanism is employed, viz: Journaled horizontally and laterally within a bearing at the upper rear corner of the frame a3 is a shaft, c, to one end of which is attached a storm-vane, V, which extends downward to the position shown in Fig. l, when the windwheel is in opposition to the course of the wind. To the opposite end of the shaft c is attached an arm, c', which extends downward and slightly forward, and has pivoted to its lower end one end ot' a bar, N, which from thence extends horizontally forward to and is pivoted upon a stud, w, that extends laterally outward trom the casting E. A second arm, c2, extends from the shaft c rearward and slightly downward, and upon its rear end has secured a weight, Q13. As thus arranged, whenever the force ot' the wind upon the storm-valle V exceeds the downward pressure exerted by the weight er" the lower end ot' said vane will move rearward and upward, and, through the shaft o, arm fu', and bar W, will draw the windmill and tail-vane toward the relative positions shown in Fig. 2, and by the dotted lines ot' Fig. 3, until, it' the strength of the wind is sufficient, said parts will be in a line with each other and said wind-wheel nearly or quite out ot' the wind. As the force ot' the wind lessens the weight t3 will overcome the resistance offered to the storm-vane V and will force the latter' toward or to its normal position, and in the saine degree cause the wind-wheel to turn into the wind.

In order that the wind-wheel may be partly or entirely thrown out of the wind for the purpose ot' adjusting it to any desired speed or ot' entirely arresting its motion, I place within the tube D, around the shaft S, a tube, X, which. extends from near the casting E downward below the platformA, and from its upper end extends an arm, x, rearward through a vertical slot, d3, in said tube D.

From the end ot' the shaft o to which is attached the storm-vane V an arm, c5, extends forward and upward, and from its outer end a chain or cord, Y, extends downward to and is connected with the rear end of the arm x, said chain having such length as to be nearly taut when said storm-vane occupies its normal position and the tube X is at its highest point.

Upon the lower end ot' the tube X is journaled a collar, x', which is engaged by a lever, Z, that is provided with an opening at its center that contains said collar, and has at each side a set-screw, z, that passes through the saine and has its inner end contained within a corresponding opening in said collar. One end ot' said lever is connected by a double hinge-joint to a suitable support, while its op posite end is free to be raised or depressed at will.

When the lever Z is raised to its highest point the movements of the wind-wheel are not interfered with; but when said lever is de- IIO pressed to its lower limit said \\in;l-\\'heel is turned out of the wind, and will not be revolved b v the latter.

\Vhen the lever Z is moved to and secured in position at any point between its extremes the wind-wheel will be correslmndiugly thrown out of the wind and the effective force of the latter varied in a like degree.

The governing mechanism described enables the speed of the wind-wheel to be adjusted and to be maintained at a uniform rate whenever there is sufficient wind to give the minimum power needed.

Having thus fully set forth the nature and merits of my invention, what l claim as new is- 1. The ind-wheel fralne composed of the hub H and gear l, the spokes L. the straps I, the rim-sections )l and M. connected together by means ot the clamps' t) and bolts o, and the connections N i1 and N nl, said parts being combined in the manner and for the purpose substantially as specified.

2. As a means for securing together the outer rim, M, with the spoke L, and in eombination therewith. the connection N, having radial audtransverseopenings and provided with the set-screw n, substantiall)` as shown.

3. As a means for securing together the spokes L and the inner rim, M', and in combination therewith, the connection X' and setscrew n', substantially as set forth.

4. As a means for connecting the sails l with the rims )l and M', and in combination with the sante, the clips Q and set'sereivs q, constructed and operating substantially as shown and specitied.

5. As a means for lubricating the bearing ll 0f the windwheel, the longitudinal groove j', the axial openii|gf2,and thevertiealopenings j and f3, formed within the arm l", in combination with the clnunber h, provided within the hub II, substantially as shown.

the gear-wheel 1t.provided upon its lower face with the annular tlange r, and the cap T, ar ranged to receive the lower face of said gearwheel, and having a groove, t, for the reception of said tlange, said parts being combined to operate, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

T. ln combination with the frame-casting E, the hinged tail-vane U, the shaft fr, having at tached thereto the storm-vane Vaud the arms r and i--, the har W, and stud w, said parts l being arranged to operate in the manner and t'or the purpose, shown and described.

S. In combination with the storm-vane V and its connecting mechanism, the tube X, arl ranged to move vertically within the tube 1), l and provided with an arm, x, that extends rearward from its upper end,and is connected l b v means of the chain Y with the arln T5 of the shaft r, and the lever Z,conuected with the lower end ot' said tube X and arranged to movey the same longitudinally, substantially as and for the purpose specited.

t). As a means for journaling the windmill and permitting the same to revolve upon or around a vertical axis, the tube (j, provided at its upper end with an enlargement, c, which has an annular groove, c', iu its upper end, and a circumferential groove, c2, in its periphery, in combination with the tube 1), provided with the collar d, that has an annular tongue, 11', and set-screws d2, said parts being,r combined to operate in the manner substantially as shown.

In testimony that 1 claim the foregoing.,r I have hereunto set my hand this .)th day ot' Fehruaigv, 1580.

t5. The bearing for the shaft S, consisting of i JOHN S. ADAMS.

.\\'itnesses:

UscAit t). Anims, A. T. Flsn. 

